Zostvax ( shingles vaccine )

[maryland]

This thread is for the people who took Varivax, varilrix or, as some call, VZV vaccine to tell how their body reacted to it and if it diminished or stopped outbreaks.

This thread isn't in any way made to suggest that anyone should take the vaccine - it is just informative.

(Hopefully it is ok with moderation!)

[maryland]

I remember, on the defunct thread, someone mentioned that the zovirax (or is it zorivax?) vaccine didn't help in anything and the outbreaks just kept coming.

A few people reported no problems with varivax vaccine.

[tomsmith]

Maryland,

Did you have the vaccine?

[maryland]

Right now I am on acyclovir supressant treatment. I was planning in taking the vaccine on my last month on acyclovir (December). Maybe earlier if I start dating

The update people gave regarding the vaccine was important and I was keeping track of it.

[tomsmith]

You can join the FB secret group for more discussions on this topic if you want...

Contact sweet7 for details...

[Hforever]

I have HSV 1 and I got the chicken pox vaccine ( varicella) today. I asked the doctor who gave me the shot if this shot will work against HSV . He said logically should work but they still thinking of it .

[tomsmith]

I have HSV 1 and I got the chicken pox vaccine ( varicella) today. I asked the doctor who gave me the shot if this shot will work against HSV . He said logically should work but they still thinking of it .

How long did u have hsv 1 for? Did u stay on acyclovir for 6 days, as dirrected by the French protocol?

[maryland]

I have HSV 1 and I got the chicken pox vaccine ( varicella) today. I asked the doctor who gave me the shot if this shot will work against HSV . He said logically should work but they still thinking of it .

That's interesting! Well, let us know the results.

[tomsmith]

I have HSV 1 and I got the chicken pox vaccine ( varicella) today. I asked the doctor who gave me the shot if this shot will work against HSV . He said logically should work but they still thinking of it .

You doctor is either very good or very .... (I will let u fill this space).

Aside from the France study there is no other indication tha this would work as far as I know....

Anyway, let's just hope he is right. I should get my vaccine in a couple weeks....

Best wishes!

[JHenry]

I just turned 60 and received the Shingles/Zostavax vaccine this past Friday. I have had shingles in the past and my Dr. was determined for me to get the vaccine when the clock struck "Sixty". (Boy, where did it go?) If there is any benefit, wonderful. If not, at least I hopefully have said goodbye to the shingles! Fingers crossed!

[Jango]

Hi guys,

long time reader and first time poster here. I found a lot of useful information on this website and just wanted to chip in my experience so far with the French protocol (a results thread that I was keenly following and also see great value in having on this website provided no one is interprets the sharing of information as sound medical advice that they can bank on).

I have had genital HSV for just over a year now and have been on Valtrex for the majority of it having had a couple months straight of symptoms (classic lesions then cuts). The Valtrex actually worked remarkably well and reduced my outbreaks to very minor cuts and no classic blisters and probably only about one every month or two for a few days.

I went to my doctor with a printout of the French study (this is in Vancouver) and luckily he is a very open-minded GP and agreed to try this procedure on me given that there was no real harm in doing so. I had the vaccine administered exactly a month ago having been off of suppressive therapy for a couple weeks prior. My results so far have been inconclusive in that I believe I may have seen some benefit, as my symptoms have changed or grown more mild, but symptoms are certainly still present. Also, I discovered I more than likely did not have chickenpox as a child as I did see a chickenpox like breakout all over my chest and stomach for about a week and a half after the vaccine (non-localized to the vaccine site - which was intradermally administered).

As far as genital symptoms so far, I had a very mild small red patch of irritation on the underside of my penis roughly where the shaft meets the scrotum in the usual spot I show symptoms, which lasted three days about a week after the vaccine. For the last few days I have had a very small red bump about 2mm in diameter on the top of my penis (in a new OB spot) and this is still resolving. Also, likely unrelated as I think this is likely not herpes related but possibly.. I have a 4-5mm cyst like bump on the right underside of the shaft of my penis but this could likely be an ingrown or a sebaceous cyst as it matches fairly closely to a prior diagnosis I had for one of these.

Anyway, that's all from me but I will try to keep updating over the coming couple of months as I go for my booster and see how things progress. Good luck everyone!

[Acesheart]

I just turned 60 and received the Shingles/Zostavax vaccine this past Friday. I have had shingles in the past and my Dr. was determined for me to get the vaccine when the clock struck "Sixty". (Boy, where did it go?) If there is any benefit, wonderful. If not, at least I hopefully have said goodbye to the shingles! Fingers crossed!

Hey JPR, my doctor told me I could get before that I just turned 49. He was talking about like at 55 age. Let me know Im right behind you in the age department. I have never had shingles and only have ever had 2ob's, I don't want to get more ob's and make my H angry, so please let me know, keep me posted if you start to get more ob's or experience more prodrome symptoms. Thanks for posting this. Truly, Ace

[JHenry]

Hey JPR, my doctor told me I could get before that I just turned 49. He was talking about like at 55 age. Let me know Im right behind you in the age department. I have never had shingles and only have ever had 2ob's, I don't want to get more ob's and make my H angry, so please let me know, keep me posted if you start to get more ob's or experience more prodrome symptoms. Thanks for posting this. Truly, Ace

I'm not certain, the "60" age issue may have had to do with whether or not my insurance would pay, I do know the Shingles vaccine is now suggested for the "younger set", 50 and beyond vs. the 60 set. Shingles are a pain---fingers crossed! Henry

[maryland]

I had the vaccine administered exactly a month ago having been off of suppressive therapy for a couple weeks prior. My results so far have been inconclusive in that I believe I may have seen some benefit, as my symptoms have changed or grown more mild, but symptoms are certainly still present. Also, I discovered I more than likely did not have chickenpox as a child as I did see a chickenpox like breakout all over my chest and stomach for about a week and a half after the vaccine (non-localized to the vaccine site - which was intradermally administered).

As far as genital symptoms so far, I had a very mild small red patch of irritation on the underside of my penis roughly where the shaft meets the scrotum in the usual spot I show symptoms, which lasted three days about a week after the vaccine. For the last few days I have had a very small red bump about 2mm in diameter on the top of my penis (in a new OB spot) and this is still resolving. Also, likely unrelated as I think this is likely not herpes related but possibly.. I have a 4-5mm cyst like bump on the right underside of the shaft of my penis but this could likely be an ingrown or a sebaceous cyst as it matches fairly closely to a prior diagnosis I had for one of these.

Ouch! Seems like the virus is putting up a big fight! On the deceased thread, someone mentioned that it is said that vaccines usually take around 20 days to take full effect. You took it a month ago and you're still having some trouble. Keep us updated!

[maryland]

Aside from the France study there is no other indication tha this would work as far as I know....

Anyway, let's just hope he is right. I should get my vaccine in a couple weeks....

Best wishes!

That means nothing. The researchers probably couldn't convince anyone to invest on that study perhaps because it didn't make sense to anyone that varicella and HSV1/2 are from the same family and therefore the vaccine for one could be use for the other.

A few centuries ago, if you had told the people that they needed to wash their hands to lower their risk of contamination of any disease, they would have laughed at you.

[newmember111]

It's very annoying that you can't get the shingles vaccine just because "it works best in people over the age of 50" its just a more potent form of the Varivax vaccine. Same vaccine.

[JHenry]

It's very annoying that you can't get the shingles vaccine just because "it works best in people over the age of 50" its just a more potent form of the Varivax vaccine. Same vaccine.

I'm not certain where you got the "it works best......" statement. My guess would be there are other reasons.

[newmember111]

I'm not certain where you got the "it works best......" statement. My guess would be there are other reasons.

People under 50 aren't advised to take it because it was "made for" people over 50 because it works best in them...

[Utah]

Hi all I was posting earlier about Zoztavax in the shut down thread

. I took the vaccine & a few weeks later got an outbreak. I decided to let it run its course but after a few days it was getting worse so i started valtrex again & it soon helped with healing. Sadly though the scaring is still yet to disappear & I awoke this morning with redness in the exact same area again. I am taking Valtrex 500mg a day again so hope it will go away soon & it appears to be doing so. I think looking at it now the Zoztavax has not helped my HSV2 situation at all & has only worsened it. I used to get outbreaks ever 6 weeks to two months, then after taking valtrex only once a year with a cold & even then they never broke the skin. Now I'm getting outbreaks every two weeks & have scaring that I hope will go away one day.

Please all be careful with this & what you choose to do

[MisterShame]

Hi all I was posting earlier about Zoztavax in the shut down thread

. I took the vaccine & a few weeks later got an outbreak. I decided to let it run its course but after a few days it was getting worse so i started valtrex again & it soon helped with healing. Sadly though the scaring is still yet to disappear & I awoke this morning with redness in the exact same area again. I am taking Valtrex 500mg a day again so hope it will go away soon & it appears to be doing so. I think looking at it now the Zoztavax has not helped my HSV2 situation at all & has only worsened it. I used to get outbreaks ever 6 weeks to two months, then after taking valtrex only once a year with a cold & even then they never broke the skin. Now I'm getting outbreaks every two weeks & have scaring that I hope will go away one day.

Please all be careful with this & what you choose to do

Did you follow the protocol exactly, and have the injection performed intradermally?

[tomsmith]

The French protocol called for the VZV vaccine. Utah seemed to have used the shingles vaccine. Altough they seemed to be identical, it isn't what they used in the French study, I believe. Varivax or Varilrix is what they used.

Another thing that I allways thought about is viral strain. Is it possible that the French study was performed on a different s tr ain than we have here in the States? Just wondering......

[andli]

I do not think there is race discrimination with in Hsv1 and Hsv2 families

[Utah]

Did you follow the protocol exactly, and have the injection performed intradermally?

Yes, please see my other post in the other thread on this thats now active,

cheers

[tomsmith]

Yes, please see my other post in the other thread on this thats now active,

cheers

Utah, u did not folow the protocol 100%, in my opinion. They haven't used shingles vaccine, which is what u did. Am I wrong?

[andli]

I fallowed the protocol, and had the vaccination 2weeks ago.

So far , no ob.............